Building BRIDGES: Coordinating the Dissemination and Training for Biomedical Artificial Intelligence

OVERALL: ABSTRACT (PROJECT DESCRIPTION)
Bridge2AI is a signature NIH initiative. It recognizes the challenges and opportunities in the growth of data science and data-driven methods for biomedical and behavioral research and healthcare delivery. We have reached
a key moment: with the exponential growth of our ability to collect and analyze data, we must consider how we
use this information to benefit everyone, providing a collective path forward. Data Generation Projects (DGPs)
within Bridge2AI will tackle “grand challenges”: questions that will shape future scientific discovery and can ultimately impact the health and care of many. Marshalling these forces collectively requires experience and insight
to create a collaborative endeavor that brings together disparate stakeholders to realize Bridge2AI’s mission:
discovery, collaboration, and learning.
Building from our collective experience in successfully guiding large NIH initiatives and (inter)national scientific
consortia, our Bridge Coordination Center is designed to ensure a responsive set of Cores that will support and
enable the DGPs in their grand challenges. Representing multiple institutions (UCLA, Oregon Health & Sciences
University, Sage Bionetworks), our efforts represent two Cores (Tool Optimization Core, Biomedical AI Learning
Resource Core) that interact closely with other aspects of the Bridge Center and Bridge2AI consortium. The Tool
Optimization Core focuses on assessing developed algorithms supporting the generation of AI-ready datasets
from the DGPs, providing strategies for optimizing usage and opportunities for benchmarking. The Biomedical
AI Learning Resource Core addresses training opportunities for the next generation of AI-ready scientists, coalescing and evaluating curricula and establishing myriad learning venues. Both Cores encompass interdisciplinary expertise across several key areas, including biomedical informatics/data science and AI (methods, applications, evaluation), as well as across different domains and data types. These Cores are ready to interact to
facilitate cross-cutting activities related to FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) across
emergent datasets and domains; and comparison and benchmarking of developed AI-ready datasets and tools.
Our Center’s endeavors include the refinement and dissemination of best practices between these groups and
wider scientific community through multiple venues; and the evaluation of the effectiveness of the methods and
overall Bridge2AI initiative. Importantly, we integrate all activities in coordination with other components of the
Bridge Coordination Center to ensure synergy in a unified framework for Bridge2AI, engaging everyone to blaze
a collective trail forward for biomedical and behavioral AI.

Grant Number: 5U54HG012517-04
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: ALEX BUI